Upgrade StorageMy Entire Class Is Unable to Update Zotero Library
I submitted an Error Report, I.D.# 1757194252
Unable to sync with zotero server. Sync merely produces the dreaded red exclamation mark.
Many students in my class (group library) have been sending panicked emails telling me that they are unable to sync with zotero today. It is a shame because they have a deadline to have submitted by tonight and none are able to make it.
The class and I generally recognize that zotero has many great possibilities, but, to be honest, it has not been a smooth experience using zotero in the classroom this quarter. We've had many glitchy days; several students who, even with my help, have been unable to see the group library in their browser; students who, when giving a class presentation on their research have been unable to find their uploads in the group library; class-panic-inducing red exclamation marks and yellow warning triangles. I'll send you the final feedback from the students when the course is over, but I suspect that students will mix praise with complaints. For my part, as the instructor, I find it is a rare day when I go to class and there isn't at least one student with a zotero problem. This is in a class of 48 students. I had contemplated using zotero in a class of 300 students next quarter, but really can't imagine doing so at this particular moment.
I say this with sadness and directness because I frankly love zotero and I want this to succeed. But so far I'm reluctant to do this again in a class that is bigger than a seminar.
Unable to sync with zotero server. Sync merely produces the dreaded red exclamation mark.
Many students in my class (group library) have been sending panicked emails telling me that they are unable to sync with zotero today. It is a shame because they have a deadline to have submitted by tonight and none are able to make it.
The class and I generally recognize that zotero has many great possibilities, but, to be honest, it has not been a smooth experience using zotero in the classroom this quarter. We've had many glitchy days; several students who, even with my help, have been unable to see the group library in their browser; students who, when giving a class presentation on their research have been unable to find their uploads in the group library; class-panic-inducing red exclamation marks and yellow warning triangles. I'll send you the final feedback from the students when the course is over, but I suspect that students will mix praise with complaints. For my part, as the instructor, I find it is a rare day when I go to class and there isn't at least one student with a zotero problem. This is in a class of 48 students. I had contemplated using zotero in a class of 300 students next quarter, but really can't imagine doing so at this particular moment.
I say this with sadness and directness because I frankly love zotero and I want this to succeed. But so far I'm reluctant to do this again in a class that is bigger than a seminar.
I can't speak to other issues in the abstract.
Is there a librarian or instructional technologist, or someone else who teaches Zotero classes or workshops at your institution? Perhaps they could serve as a troubleshooter for the students...
I mention this because I am a librarian (who teaches the Zotero workshops at my university) who is working with a few classes here who are using Zotero for submitting assignments, collaborative work, etc. I was added to all the groups for the class and so was able to jump in and see that sometimes it was the group settings that needed to be changed, sometimes the students were just plain not using Zotero correctly, and sometimes it was Zotero sync server issues (I hung out on the forums a lot, no doubt bugging Dan and the others a bit too much... ;) - the first class assignment coincided with their server upgrade). But it was helpful for the professors to have someone else navigating and troubleshooting the issues that came up.